Lathing unit



Sept. 22, 1931. F. M. JACOBS LATHING UNIT Filed March v1'7, 1950 the strips to the laths,

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Patented Sept. 22, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FRANK M. JACOBS, OF TAVCOMA, WASHINGTON LATHING UNIT Application filed March 17,1930. Serial No. 436,569.

The invention relates to a new and improved lathing unit consisting of a plurality of conventional wooden laths held in spaced parallel relation by flat sheet metal strips.

One object of the invention is to provide simple and inexpensive means for securing said means preferably consisting of tongues stamped from the strips, the tongues being driven through the laths and clinched. This construction leaves the strips provided with spaced openings from which the tongues are struck, and by driving the usual lath nails through these openings when attaching the laths, the metal strips co-act with the nails in securing the laths in place.

A further object of the invention is to locate the strips between the ends of the laths, in closely spaced parallel relation, the spacing being sufficient to allow cutting of the laths between the strips. Thus, the sections into which any lathing unit is thus cut, will have its laths held in properly spaced relation by the strips between which the cutting operation was performed, there being of course additional strips at the ends of the unit to perform a similar function.

Another aim of the invention is to provide a lathing unit of the type set forth, in which the metal strips are weakened between the' laths, allowing said strips to be broken when desired and hence permitting a desired number of the laths to be removed for filling small spaces.

A. still further aim is to provide a lathing unit of exceptionally simple and inexpensive construction, yet one which will be highly efficient and may be rapidly applied, either in flat form or curved as occasion may demand.

With the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinaft er described and claimed, description being accomplished by reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of al lathing unit constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation. Fig. 3 is an end elevation. Fig. 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view on line 4,4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective View of one of the lath-connecting strips.

In the drawings above briefly described, the numerals 6 denote a plurality (preferably eight) of conventional 48 inch woods laths disposed edge to edge in parallel relation. Exten ling across the ends of the laths (i and secured thereto, are two sheet metal strips 7, and inwardly spaced 16 inches from 'the lath ends are twopairs of similar stripsi-o S. Then applying the lathing units to studs or ceiling joists of standard spacing, the strips 7 and 8 are disposed opposite said studs or joints, and attention is invited to the fact that suflicient space 9 exists between the stripsf '65 8 of each pair,`to allow cutting of the laths between said strips, thus providing for the formation of vlathingunits of 16 or 3 2 inch length whenever desired.

Vlcross the centers of the "laths 6, I prefer-...70 ably secure two additional sheet metal strips 10 spaced apart sufficiently at 11 to allow cutting lbctweenthem. Hence, the same lathing unit is adapted for use with studs or joists spaced apart E24 inches instead of 16 inches.: 75

All ofthe strips 7, 8 and 1() are of identical construction. They are preferably of approximately one-thirtysecond of an inch in thickness and about iive-eighths of an inch wide, and at suitable intervals, preferablyl 3g triangular tongues 12 are stamped from said strips, leaving the latter provided with sim ilarly 'shaped openings 13. The tongues 12 are driven through the laths 6 and are clinched at 14 to rigidly secure the laths and se strips together, whereby the latter hold the former in uniformly spaced relation. When attaching the lathing unit, the usual lath nails may be driven only through the laths 6 if desired, but by driving these nails or at 90 least some of them through the openings 13, so that their heads lie upon the outer sides of the metal strips, the latter co-act with the nails in rigidly securing the laths to the studs others, for use in small spaces. Moreover, whenever required, the laths may readily be cut between the strips 8 or 10 and the latter will hold the laths in orderly fashion at opposite sides of the cuts.

In addition to the characteristics and advantages above pointed out, attention is invited to the facts that the improved lathing unit is economical, strengthens walls and the lo like to which it is applied and provides a irm backing for plaster,.can be used advantageously in connection with studs or the like spaced either 24 inches or 16 inches apart, can readily be applied with the use of an ordinary lathers hatchet or even a hammer, can be applied without the use of skilled labor and yet such application may be rapid, can be bent to conform to any contour` concave, convex or angular and will nevertheless `:.20 remain solid, and can be manufactured and applied at a cost not exceeding that in connection with ordinary lath.

I claim: .1. An article of manufacture comprising a z5 plurality of wood laths disposed edge to edge in spaced parallel relation, metal strips eX- tending across the ends of said laths and secured thereto, and a pair of parallel metal strips extending across and secured to said l laths between the ends of the latter, said pair of strips being sui'iciently spaced to allow cutting of the laths between them.

2. An article of manufacture comprising a plurality of conventional forty-eight inch u wood laths disposed edge to edge in spaced parallel relation, metal strips extending across and secured to the ends of said laths, and pairs of parallel metal strips extending across and secured tosaid laths sixteen inches 40 from the ends 'thereof to li-e directly opposite studs or ceilingwjoists of standard spacing, the strips of` each of said pairs being suiiiciently spaced to allow cutting of the laths between them.

5 3. A structure as specified in claim 2; to-

gether' with zin-additional pair of spaced metal stripscrossing and secured to said laths at the centers thereof, said additional strips being adapt-ed to lie directly opposite a stud or joist having twenty-four inch spacing, said strips of said'additional pair being suiiiciently spaced to allow cutting of the laths between them.

4. An article .ofimanufacture comprising a plurality of wood laths disposed edge to edge in spaced parallel relation, and metal strips crossing said laths, said strips having integral Vtongues forced through said laths and clinched, said strips being weakened between said laths, allowing the strips to be easily broken to remove any desired number of laths from the others.

y lu testimony whereof l have hereunto affixed my signature.

65. FRANK M. JACOBS. 

